Researching Genealogy While Writing a Lincoln-Era Novel

This week I worked in several different realms of writing that all involved history.

Chapter 7 of my Lincoln mystery is now prepared to the next reading at Scribes (tomorrow). Its an action chapter, and the tension between Lovejoy and those who oppose him is sharpening. Reading these scenes aloud to the group is the best way I know to hear whether the story is truly working.

At the same time, I spent much of the week exploring family genealogy. What began as curious hobby has started to grow into something huge and compelling. I’ve begun thinking about how these discoveries could eventually be gathered into a book of their own, so I’ve started sketching out possible contents. The contents would be the outline for the book. I’ve researched a lot of genealogy books and understand how they’re laid out. Along the way I even found my line back to Edward I, which a lot of families will find if they trace their path back. I would trace the family back to ancient times if I could. I find thinking about prehistoric times fascinating.

Meanwhile, on another thread, in the online group Friends of Ed, someone kindly responded to my question about which of Ed Bryant’s stories might be good candidates for publication and offered five recommendations. Suggestions like that are helpful as I continue reviewing his work and deciding which stories should appear next.

Current projects:

• My book: Chapter 7 prepared for the next reading at Scribes

• Edward Bryant: reviewing the recommended stories for the next publication

History has a way of appearing in different forms–sometimes in archives, sometimes in imagination, and sometimes in the branches of ones’ own family tree.

Thanks for reading and walking alongside me.